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| Proclamation 1081 Sept 21, 1972 |
27-year after the
so-called ‘People Power’ revolution that ended the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos’
reign, the human rights victims will finally be compensated with money
amounting to ten billion pesos (P10 Billon).
This long-awaited
compensation is made possible by way of a landmark law signed by his Excellency
Pres. Benigno C. Aquino III on Monday.
27th Anniversary of People Power Revolution
27th Anniversary of People Power Revolution
Aquino said as he
spoke in Manila marking the 27th anniversary of the People Power
Revolution
(PPR) that the law was part of his government’s effort to “right the wrongs of the past”.
(PPR) that the law was part of his government’s effort to “right the wrongs of the past”.
The president said
that we can’t bring back the time stolen from the martial law victims but we
can assure them of the state’s recognition of their sufferings that will help bring them closer to the healing of
their wounds.
Rosales: Law to rectify abuses of Marcos dictatorship
Rosales: Law to rectify abuses of Marcos dictatorship
The compensation
money will be given to claimants who were tortured, raped or detained, as well as kins
of those killed, by the late strongman’s security forces during his 20-year
rule.
Head
of the Philippines’ Human Right Commission and herself a vocal activist and
torture victim Loretta Ann Rosales, said:
"The law is essential in rectifying
the abuses of the Marcos dictatorship and obliges the state to give
compensation to all those who suffered gross violations of their rights,"
Rosales told AFP
Money is too small.
Money is too small.
Marie Hilao-Enriquez welcomed the law,
but bewailed the fact that the money is too little to have a meaningful impact.
Enriquez is chair of SELDA, a group of
some 10,000 documented Marcos human rights victims. She added many more may come forward now for
official documentation, such as the Muslims from Mindanao,
A Compensation board to evaluate applications
A Compensation board to evaluate applications
Commissioner Rosales bared that by
mandate of the law a compensation board will be operationalized to accept and
evaluate applications for reparations for the next 6 months
The compensation money comes from the
$600 million the government has recovered from Swiss bank accounts that Marcos had
stashed while in power.
About $10 billion plundered, but only $4 billion recovered
About $10 billion plundered, but only $4 billion recovered
Marcos and relatives were accused by the
government of plundering up to $10 billion.
So far about $4 billion was recovered.
Over 2 million civilians including personnel of various groups and color ousted Marcos regime
Over 2 million civilians including personnel of various groups and color ousted Marcos regime
EDSA People Power bloodless coup
happened on February 22-25, 1986 and
involved over two million Filipino civilians as well as several political,
military, including religious groups, who took to the streets and force
US-government backed Marcos from power.
Marcos while in exile in Hawaii died in 1989.
Martial Law victims
Look into my eyes, I'll give you hell
Unbearable torture pushed my brother to drown himself
